I made my way to the shore around 7am on Sunday morning to witness the sun's rising. the suns was due to appear at around 7:13am, and I did not want to miss one single second of dawn breaking in on Easter morning.

I needed to see it's coming...night pushing up the day.

so, there was I was at 7am sitting in the dark waiting.

two hours later, I found myself still waiting on one of the galveston jetties that has become a sanctuary for me over the past couple of years. it's my jetty. every visit to galveston I always seem to make my way to that specific one. the granite rocks that compose it hold many of my tears, fears, secrets, hopes and prayers. it is the place I come to

while waiting, I decided to explore the rocks that had been thrown into formation to protect and connect. within seconds I was creating art with my camera, in total awe of the raw beauty, unique patterns and markings of each of the rocks I came across.

the fog never truly lifted and the sunlight never really made its way to those of us hoping to bask in it's fullness. but, it did rise and the light softly filtered through the fog enough for beauty to find me, speak to me and trust my cameras and me for awhile.

When we approach with reverence, great things decide to approach us. Our real life comes to the surface and its light awakens the concealed beauty in things. When we walk on the earth with reverence, beauty will decide to trust us. John O'Donohue, Beauty: The Invisible Embrace

There are so many ways to use our creativity to increase beauty & hope in the world, so many. I'm always scouting out via Pinterest & Instagram for new ways for the kids in the after school art class I teach, to work out their creative muscles & learn that there are truly a variety of ways we can be creators and not just consumers in the world. So for art class this week, we made cement planters & played with a lot of soil as we planted succulents shipped to us straight from sunny California in cups donated to us by Amy's Ice-cream.

We had a blast!

It was a bit messy...well a lot messy and I will definitely made a little list of "what to do differently" next week to make the experience even better for everyone, but sooooo much fun & the kids were so excited about their new plants, get dirt on their hands (not so much cement... gloves will definitely help with that next week) & create in a new way. I saw eyes light up & focus in some of the kids I hadn't seen in the art room before. I loved every minute of it & I'm looking forward to getting back to it next week.

Saturday was my second Saturday of hosting a workshop I created & invited people to register to attend, & I loved every minute of- even the washing of dirty dishes & palettes. No lie! Because when I am scrubbing and rinsing, I'm celebrating that I had something to wash off... my dreams are becoming real. It's truly happening... one dirty palette at a time.

Also, the workshops & creativity studios are teaching me that I love people & truly receive life from hosting gatherings, especially when they include sharing life at the table and making it possible for each person to explore the deep well of creativity that is within them.

Not only that, but I absolutely love the moment of surprise that always seems to happen when that one person who apologized in advance for not being an artist, creates something that I wish I could keep to hang on my wall because it is a thing a wonder & so dope.

So, friends I am thrilled to say that I am going to keep making room at the table. I have some dreams of collaborating with other artists in town and creating some fun spaces for the people in this great city of Houston to tap into their creativity as they share life around the big art table in Studio D.

Stay tuned and even check out what's all ready on the calendar by clicking HERE. I have workshop planned for June with watercolors, mimosas & John Coltrane vinyl on the record player that is bound to be a good time for all.

“The paradox of real human creativity is that it is not the flexing of our human – our created will… the imposing of order, the dredging up of something new out of the depths of our interiority.Our creativity is most fully and freely expressed as humans, when we, as artists, stand back and let be…That it is so far from being an exercise of will – much more an exercise of the most extraordinarily concentrated ‘suspension’ of will, so that something is allowed to happen…. “He continues: “Many years ago I used to meet regularly with a rather formidable Canadian sculptor who wanted to talk about what he was doing. And he would say passionately again and again, “will has nothing to do with it. I must let it happen.” Rowan Williams

“It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart.” -Rainer Maria Rilke

one of the best things about living in Houston, is being only 30 or so minutes away from the beach. thankful for the privilege of transportation and a work schedule that allows me to rest on Sundays & plan spontaneous day trips to Galveston for color play, delightful gulf coast breezes & light... lots of it. just the right dose of inspiration to get me all excited & hopeful about another week of living, working, creating, failing, winning & loving.

I have learned that if we can just push past our internal pressure to always be "doing something" or "be productive," & truly take time off to rest, do nothing, play or delight in things that have nothing to do with meeting deadlines or our work... we will be better humans & better at our craft, whatever it may be. definitely not a new concept for sure, but I am often surprised by how often I need to be reminded through burnout, talks at conferences, books, etc. that time off is essential to living a good life.

it's critical.

below are glimpses of a few things & moments that captured my attention this first day of spring, moments where my soul rested & slowed down long enough to breathe deeply.

I hope you find time today or this week, even if it is just for 15-minutes, to do the same. we all need breathing room.

“...The paradox of real human creativity is that it is not the flexing of our human – our created will… the imposing of order, the dredging up of something new out of the depths of our interiority.Our creativity is most fully and freely expressed as humans, when we, as artists, stand back and let be…That it is so far from being an exercise of will–much more an exercise of the most extraordinarily concentrated ‘suspension’ of will, so that something is allowed to happen…. “ -Rowan Williams

I'm a grateful to be able to host & guide a workshop in my studio this Saturday, that invites participants to create with intention as we prepare to enter the days of Holy Week, paying attention to what is revealed through the process.

​Art as Prayer Workshop with Encaustic is a guided 2.5 hour process of tapping into your creativity using poetry, pen & paper, paint, magazine images and encaustic wax to approach the creative process as a form of prayer.

During this workshop we will create with intention, paying attention to what is revealed through the creative process and less focus on the product you will ultimately create. ​

Space is limited to 6 participants, so register today if you would like to start your Holy Week off creatively.